JP4169060B2 - Paper bundle printing system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a sheet bundle printing system for printing peeled one sheet from the sheet bundle, such as bundle of sticky notes.

Conventionally, as a sticky note printer (paper bundle printer) to which this kind of paper bundle printing system is applied, the topmost sticky note paper is picked up from the set sticky note paper bundle, and the rolled up sticky note paper is combined with an ink ribbon and a thermal head. There is known one that is sandwiched between a platen roller and prints (see Patent Document 1).
JP 2003-212367 A

By the way, when using a sticky note paper, for example, when writing a memo on the sticky note paper or using it for marking of a magazine or the like, the sticky note paper may be used as it is. At this time, the sticky note printer needs to discharge the sticky note paper in a clean state without printing on the sticky note paper.
However, in the conventional sticky note printer described above, when printing on the sticky note paper without printing (previous feeding), the sticky note and the ink ribbon are not driven and the sticky note paper and the ink ribbon are sent. Since the paper was discharged, there was a problem that the ink ribbon was consumed unnecessarily even in the case of idle feeding.

The present invention is, without consuming the ink ribbon, and to provide a sheet bundle printing system that can be idle feeding toward the paper discharge outlet.

The paper bundle printing system of the present invention is a paper transporter that peels one sheet at a time from the uppermost sheet of a paper bundle formed by laminating a number of sheets that are adhesively peelable at one end, and transports them one by one to the paper discharge port. Means, a print head and a platen roller, facing between the print head and the platen roller, and printing means for printing on the paper fed by the paper conveying means, facing between the print head and the platen roller, Ribbon feeding means for feeding the ink ribbon along with the paper during printing , a manual operation lever for separating and contacting the platen roller, a separation link for separating and connecting the platen roller in conjunction with the operation of the manual operation lever, has, with respect to the print head, a print position for pressing the platen roller to the printing head relatively and to move manually between a spaced position away from the print head A disjunction means, in conjunction with the relative movement in the separated position from the printing position of the print head and the platen roller by the disjunction means, and ribbon feeding stopping means for stopping the feed of the ink ribbon by the ribbon feeding means, manual In conjunction with the operation of the operation lever, the state in which the platen roller is moved to the separation position is held, and in conjunction with the conveyance end operation by the paper conveyance means, the holding state of the platen roller in the separation position is released, And a lock / unlock mechanism configured to move the platen roller to the printing position .

  According to this configuration, when the platen roller is moved to the separation position relative to the print head by the separating / contacting means, the ink ribbon feeding is stopped by the ribbon feeding stopping means in conjunction therewith. In this state, when the paper transport unit transports the paper, the paper passes through the gap between the print head and the platen roller and is sent toward the paper discharge port, but the ink ribbon is not sent. Further, since the space between the print head and the platen roller is in an open state, the paper and the ink ribbon are not sandwiched, so that the ink ribbon is not fed as the paper is fed. Thereby, it is possible to feed the paper in an idle state without feeding the ink ribbon. As the sheet bundle, a sticky note bundle, a memo pad, or the like can be used.
  Further, by operating the manual operation lever, the platen roller can be freely brought into and out of contact with the printing position and the separation position.
  Furthermore, since the platen roller is locked at the separated position by the lock / unlock mechanism by operating the manual operation lever, it is not necessary for the user to continue operating the manual operation lever while the sticky note is being conveyed. On the other hand, when the conveyance by the sheet conveying unit is completed, the lock is released along with the completion, and the platen roller moves to the printing position, so that the user does not need to return the platen roller by operating the manual operation lever. Thereby, the operativity of a manual operation lever can be improved.

The paper bundle printing system of the present invention is a paper transporter that peels one sheet at a time from the uppermost sheet of a paper bundle formed by laminating a number of sheets that are adhesively peelable at one end, and transports them one by one to the paper discharge port. Means, a print head and a platen roller, facing between the print head and the platen roller, and printing means for printing on the paper fed by the paper conveying means, facing between the print head and the platen roller, The ribbon feeding means for feeding the ink ribbon along with the paper during printing, and the print head relative to the print head and the print position for pressing the platen roller against the print head and the separation position away from the print head manually. In conjunction with the separation / contact means for moving, and the relative movement of the print head and the platen roller from the printing position to the separation position by the separation / contact means, the ribbon feeding means A ribbon feed stop means for stopping the feeding of the ribbon, the platen roller is constituted by a drive roller that is driven in synchronism with the drive of the paper feed means, and the paper feed means, the platen roller and the ribbon feed means are motive power. The power transmission gear train includes a main sun gear that is rotated by a drive source, a first planetary gear that meshes with the main sun gear, and a first intermediate gear that is in contact with the first planetary gear. And a second planetary gear meshed with the first intermediate gear as a sun gear, and a second intermediate gear with which the second planetary gear is in contact with and separated from the second planetary gear, and the sheet conveying means has a conveyance driving roller for conveying the sheet. The conveyance drive roller receives power from the first planetary gear, the platen roller receives power from the second planetary gear, and the ribbon feeding means has a ribbon take-up shaft for winding the ink ribbon. The ribbon take-up shaft receives power from the second intermediate gear, the separating / connecting means has a carrier that supports the second planetary gear, and the carrier separates and connects the second planetary gear to the second intermediate gear. The ribbon feed stop means is a second planetary gear, and the second planetary gear is separated from the second intermediate gear by the carrier to cut off power to the second intermediate gear .

  The paper bundle printing system of the present invention is a paper transporter that peels one sheet at a time from the uppermost sheet of a paper bundle formed by laminating a number of sheets that are adhesively peelable at one end, and transports them one by one to the paper discharge port. Means, a print head and a platen roller, facing between the print head and the platen roller, and printing means for printing on the paper fed by the paper conveying means, facing between the print head and the platen roller, Ribbon feeding means that feeds the ink ribbon along with the paper during printing, and a print head that moves relative to a print position that presses the platen roller against the print head and a separation position that is away from the print head. Ink ribbon feeding by the ribbon feeding means in conjunction with the relative movement from the printing position to the separation position by the contact means and the printing head and the platen roller by the separation means. A platen roller that is driven in synchronization with the driving of the sheet conveying means, and the sheet conveying means, the platen roller, and the ribbon feeding means are a power source and a power transmission. The power transmission gear train includes a main sun gear that is rotated by a driving source, a first planetary gear that meshes with the main sun gear, a first intermediate gear that is in contact with the first planetary gear, and a first gear. A second planetary gear meshing with the intermediate gear as a sun gear; and a second intermediate gear with which the second planetary gear is separated from and coming into contact with the second planetary gear. The roller receives power from the first planetary gear, the platen roller receives power from the second planetary gear, and the ribbon feeding means has a ribbon winding shaft for winding the ink ribbon. The shaft receives power from the second intermediate gear, and the separating / connecting means has a carrier that supports the second planetary gear, and the carrier separates and connects the second planetary gear to the second intermediate gear and stops ribbon feeding. The means is a second planetary gear, and the power to the second intermediate gear is cut off when the second planetary gear is separated from the second intermediate gear by the carrier.

  According to these configurations, when the platen roller is moved to the separation position relative to the print head by the separating / contacting means, the ink ribbon feeding is stopped by the ribbon feeding stopping means in conjunction therewith. In this state, when the paper transport unit transports the paper, the paper passes through the gap between the print head and the platen roller and is sent toward the paper discharge port, but the ink ribbon is not sent. Further, since the space between the print head and the platen roller is in an open state, the paper and the ink ribbon are not sandwiched, so that the ink ribbon is not fed as the paper is fed. Thereby, it is possible to feed the paper in an idle state without feeding the ink ribbon. As the sheet bundle, a sticky note bundle, a memo pad, or the like can be used.
  In addition, when printing on paper, printing can be performed while applying conveyance force to the paper, and printing can be stabilized. Further, when the paper is fed in an idle state, it can be brought into contact with the paper that is being fed and a conveying force can be applied thereto, and the paper can be smoothly guided to the paper discharge port.
  Furthermore, since the second planetary gear is separated from the second intermediate gear by the carrier, the power to the ribbon feeding means is interrupted, so that the feeding of the ink ribbon can be stopped. That is, the separation / contact means and the ribbon feed stop means can have a very simple structure. In addition, the structure can be simplified in that the number of shared parts increases.

  In the latter case, it is preferable that the separation / contact means includes a solenoid for separating / contacting the platen roller and a separation / contact link for separating / contacting the platen roller in conjunction with driving of the solenoid.

  According to this configuration, the platen roller can be separated and brought into contact by exciting or demagnetizing the solenoid.

  In this case, the separation means includes an actuator for separating and contacting the platen roller, a plate cam that rotates by driving the actuator, and a separation link that contacts and separates the platen roller by the contact state of the plate cam. It is preferable.

  According to this configuration, the platen roller can be separated and contacted by rotating the plate cam by the actuator.

  In these cases, the print head includes a detection unit that detects that the platen roller has moved relative to the separation position, and a control unit that controls the paper transport unit and the printing unit. Based on the detection result of the means, it is preferable to send the paper toward the paper discharge port without printing on the paper.

  According to this configuration, it is possible to start the paper feed by using the detection by the detection unit as a trigger. In addition, due to a mechanical failure, the paper is not skipped while the print head and the platen roller are in contact with each other.

In this case, a sheet bundle having a sheet conveying means, a printing means, a ribbon feeding means, a separating / contacting means, a ribbon feeding stop means, and a detecting means, which is peeled off one by one from the uppermost sheet of the sheet bundle and printed on it. It preferably comprises a printer and a computer having control means and connected to the paper bundle printer for controlling the paper bundle printer.

  According to this configuration, it is possible to control the sheet bundle printer using a computer, and to stop the feeding of the ink ribbon when the sheets are fed idle.

  Hereinafter, a sheet bundle printing system according to the present embodiment will be described as a sticky note printing system with reference to the attached drawings. The sticky note printing system uses the sticky note printer to pick up the top sticky note from the set of sticky note paper (paper bundle) based on the print data edited on the computer, and peels off the sticky note that has been raised. Printing is performed while discharging the printed sticky notes to the outside of the apparatus.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the sticky note print system 1 is connected to a sticky note printer 2 on which a sticky note bundle H is set, and the sticky note printer 2 via USB 4 or the like, and print data for printing on the sticky note H1. It is composed of a personal computer (control means) 3 that creates and edits and controls various driving of the sticky note printer 2.

  The personal computer 3 includes a personal computer main body 5, a keyboard 6 and a mouse 7 connected to the personal computer main body 5 for inputting data, and a display 8 for displaying input results and the like. A CD-ROM 9 that stores data such as application software (programs) and device drivers related to the printer 2 is detachably set. When various detection signals, various commands, various data, etc. are input from the keyboard 6 or the like, the personal computer 3 processes various data according to the program in the CD-ROM 9 and controls the sticky note printer 2. ing.

  Needless to say, the sticky note printer 2 may be provided with a print data creation / editing function and a control function for each unit, and the sticky note printer 2 may be used as a single unit to perform printing on the sticky note H1.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the sticky note printer 2 is configured such that an outer shell is formed by the device case 15, and a sticky note bundle H can be set inside the device case 15. Then, the sticky note printer 2 prints a desired character string created by the personal computer 3 on the sticky note H1 that has been peeled off from the set of sticky note bundles H one by one, and this is a paper discharge formed on the device case 15. It sends out from the mouth 16.

  The device case 15 is formed in a small size as a whole, and the device case 15 is formed with a sticky note introduction opening 17 for introducing the sticky note bundle H into the case, and a printed sticky note H1 in the center of the front surface. Is formed with a horizontal slit-shaped discharge port 16 for feeding the toner to the outside of the case. On the upper surface of the device case 15, a ribbon cartridge C containing the ink ribbon R is mounted, and an open / close lid 18 for maintenance is attached. Further, an operation opening 19 is formed on the left side of the front surface of the device case 15 so as to face a manual operation lever 85 to be described later, and the manual operation lever 85 is allowed to move up and down.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the sticky note bundle H is composed of a plurality of sticky note papers H1 in which the base end portion on the back surface is partially glued. That is, the sticky note bundle H is formed by laminating a plurality of sticky notes H1 having the same shape (rectangular shape) and the same size by partially pasting the base end portion of the back surface. The sticky note H1 is configured to be peelable from the sticky note bundle H one by one, and after being peeled off, the sticky note H1 is reattached to an adherend such as a notebook via a paste portion (adhesive) at the base end. It is configured to be possible.

  The sticky note printer 2 lifts up the sticky note holder 20 for setting the sticky note bundle H and the topmost sticky note H1 of the set sticky note bundle H, and then peels off the sticky note H1 to the paper outlet 16. A sticky paper transporting means (paper transporting means) 21 for transporting toward the front, a printing means 22 for printing on the sticky paper H1 transported by the sticky paper transporting means 21 by the thermal head (printing head) 70 and the platen roller 71, Ribbon feeding means 23 for sending ink ribbon R to be used for printing, separating / contacting means 24 for bringing platen roller 71 into and out of contact with thermal head 70 by manual operation lever 85, interlocking with separating / contacting means 24, ink ribbon R Ribbon feed stop means 25 for stopping the feed, and these are housed in the apparatus case 15 described above. Further, the sticky note printer 2 puts the detection sensor (detection means) 26 for detecting that the platen roller 71 is separated from the thermal head 70 and the platen roller 71 separated from the thermal head 70 by the separation / contact means 24 in this state. A lock / unlock mechanism 27 for holding and releasing the held state is provided.

  The sticky note holder 20 holds a sticky note bundle H of a predetermined size and is formed in a box shape having an open upper surface, and a rectangular placement stage 35 for placing the sticky note bundle H horizontally, A quadrilateral frame-shaped introduction guide 36 that guides the stage 35 slidably in the vertical direction, and a lid 38 that supports the placement stage 35 from below via a plurality of coil springs 37 and closes the sticky note introduction opening 17. And is composed of. Further, before and after the upper end portion of the introduction guide 36, a pair of front and rear position restricting portions 39 for pressing the free end portion and the fixed end portion (glue portion) of the sticky note bundle H are projected inwardly. The mounting stage 35 is urged upward by a plurality of coil springs 37. Even if the sticky note bundle H set on the placement stage 35 is fed out one by one and diminished, a pair of position restricting portions 39 is provided. Thus, the height level of the sticky note H1 positioned at the top is constant. At this time, the position where the sticky note bundle H is set becomes the pickup position 44 where the sticky note transport means 21 lifts up.

  The sticky note holder 20 is detachably attached to the inside of the device case 15 with a lid 38 hooked to the device case 15 in a snap-in manner. That is, when the sticky note bundle H is set in the sticky note holder 20, the sticky note holder 20 is removed from the inside of the apparatus case 15, the sticky note bundle H is set on the placement stage 35, and the sticky note holder 20 is again attached to the apparatus case. 15 Install inside.

  The sticky note transport means 21 is configured to roll up the topmost sticky note H1 of the sticky note bundle H facing the pick-up position 44. The sticky note transport means 21 rolls up and rolls up the top sticky note H1. The feed roller 50 that peels off the sticky note H1, the driven roller 51 that sandwiches the rolled up sticky note H1 between the feed roller 50, the pickup position 44 that lifts the sticky note H1 up the feed roller 50, and the sticky note H1. A pair of rotating arms 52 that move between the driven roller 51 and a clamping position 45, a driving motor 53 that serves as a driving source (power source) for the feed roller 50 and the pair of rotating arms 52, and a driving motor. And a reduction gear train (power transmission gear train) 54 for transmitting the driving force of 53 to the feed roller 50 and the pair of rotating arms 52.

  The feed roller 50 is in rolling contact with the back surface on the free end side of the rolled up sticky note H1, and is rotated and fed while being peeled off at the pinching position 45. The feed roller 50 is in contact with the roller body 60 that is in direct contact with the sticky note H1. And a roller drive shaft 61 as a rotation shaft of the roller body 60. The roller drive shaft 61 is rotatably supported at both ends by a pair of rotating arms 52 and is rotated by the power of the drive motor 53 transmitted via the reduction gear train 54 (details will be described later).

  The pair of rotating arms 52 are configured to hold the roller drive shaft 61 rotatably at the distal end portion and to rotate (swing) around the proximal end portion. A release protrusion (see FIG. 5) 65 that contacts a contact piece 116 described later is provided on one side surface of the pair of rotating arms 52, and the lock / unlock mechanism 27 is unlocked by the release protrusion 65. (Details will be described later). The rotating arm 52 also moves between the pickup position 44 and the clamping position 45 by the power of the drive motor 53 transmitted through the reduction gear train 54.

  The printing unit 22 includes a thermal head 70 that is disposed in the vicinity of the paper discharge port 16 and is formed to have substantially the same width as the feed roller 50, and a platen roller 71 that is provided to face the thermal head 70. ing. The platen roller 71 is provided so as to extend in the width direction of the sticky note H1. When the feed roller 50 moves to the clamping position 45, the platen roller 71 is connected to the reduction gear train 54 and receives power from the drive motor 53. It is configured to rotate, and printing is performed by the thermal head 70 while applying a transport force to the sent sticky note H1. For this reason, printing on the sticky note H1 can be performed stably. Further, the platen roller 71 is moved between a printing position 74 pressed against the thermal head 70 and a separation position 75 separated from the thermal head 70 by the separation / contact means 24 described later. The printing means 22 configured in this way performs printing on the sticky note H1 while the thermal head 70 and the drive motor 53 are controlled by a control signal from the personal computer 3.

  The ribbon feeding means 23 has a ribbon cartridge C and a ribbon take-up shaft 78 for taking up the ink ribbon R of the mounted ribbon cartridge C. The ribbon take-up shaft 78 has a feed roller 50 nipping position 45. When the platen roller 71 moves to the printing position 74, it is connected to the reduction gear train 54, and the power from the drive motor 53 is input to rotate. The ribbon cartridge C includes a ribbon feeding reel 80 that winds the ink ribbon R so that the ink ribbon R can be fed, a ribbon take-up reel 81 that winds the ink ribbon R, and a cartridge case (not shown) that rotatably accommodates the ribbon. Has been.

  When the ribbon cartridge C is mounted with the opening / closing lid 18 opened, the ink ribbon R faces between the thermal head 70 and the platen roller 71, and the ribbon take-up reel 81 is attached to the ribbon take-up shaft 78. The When printing drive is started by the printing means 22, the ribbon take-up shaft 78 starts to wind up (feed) the ink ribbon R in parallel with the feeding of the sticky note H1.

  The separation / contact means 24 includes a manual operation lever 85 for separating and contacting the platen roller 71 between the printing position 74 and the separation position 75, and a support member 86 connected to the manual operation lever 85 and supporting the platen roller 71. It is formed in an “L” shape, and the base end portion of the support member 86 is pivotally supported by a rotation support shaft 87 fixed to the device case 15. That is, the connecting / disconnecting link referred to in the claims is configured by the support member 86 and the rotation support shaft 87.

  The support member 86 is pulled up by a return spring (see FIG. 5) 88 so that the platen roller 71 faces the printing position 74 in the print standby state, and on the side surface of the support member 86 is the width direction of the sticky note H1. And a platen shaft portion 89 that pivotally supports the platen roller 71 is provided. The manual operation lever 85 includes a lever main body 90 provided to extend upward at the distal end portion of the support member 86, and an operation button portion 91 provided on the upper end surface of the lever main body 90. When the user presses the operation button 91, the support member 86 rotates downward about the rotation support shaft 87 against the return spring 88, and the platen roller 71 is separated from the printing position 74 by a separation position 75. Move up.

  Here, the above-described reduction gear train 54 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. The reduction gear train 54 includes a drive motor 53 and a feed roller 50 and a pair of rotating arms 52 of the sticky note transport unit 21, a platen roller 71 of the printing unit 22, and a ribbon take-up shaft 78 of the ribbon feed unit 23. It is configured to incorporate planetary gears as appropriate. The reduction gear train 54 is rotated by the power of the drive motor 53, and the main sun gear 100 that is formed to have the largest diameter, the first planetary gear 101 that meshes with the main sun gear 100, and the first planetary gear 101 are in contact with each other. A first intermediate gear 102; a second planetary gear 103 that meshes with the first intermediate gear 102 as a sun gear; a second intermediate gear 104 that comes in contact with the second planetary gear 103; and a third mesh that meshes with the second intermediate gear 104. The intermediate gear 105 and the fourth intermediate gear 106 that meshes with the third intermediate gear 105 are configured.

  The shaft part of the main sun gear 100 is provided coaxially with the shaft part of the base end part of the pair of rotating arms 52, and the first planetary gear 101 provides power to the feed roller 50 provided coaxially. Output. One of the pair of rotating arms 52 is a carrier of the first planetary gear 101 that is coaxial with the main sun gear 100. That is, the position at which the first planetary gear 101 meshes with the first intermediate gear 102 is the clamping position 45 where the feed roller 50 contacts the driven roller 51, and the first planetary gear 101 is separated from the first intermediate gear 102. A position where the rotating arm 52 is horizontal is a pickup position 44. For this reason, the pair of rotating arms 52 are configured to move while the feed roller 50 rotates by rotating between the pickup position 44 and the holding position 45. Note that the pivoting operation of the pair of pivot arms 52 is performed by an end face cam (not shown) using the drive motor 53 as a power source.

  The shaft portion of the first intermediate gear 102 is provided coaxially with the rotation support shaft 87 that supports the support member 86, and the second planetary gear 103 outputs power to the platen roller 71 provided coaxially. To do. A part of the support member 86 serves as a carrier for the second planetary gear 103 that is coaxial with the first intermediate gear 102. That is, the position where the second planetary gear 103 meshes with the second intermediate gear 104 is the printing position 74 where the platen roller 71 contacts the thermal head 70, and is away from the second planetary gear 103 from the second intermediate gear 104. The position is a separation position 75. For this reason, the platen roller 71 rotates while facing the printing position 74 and the separation position 75.

  The power transmitted to the second intermediate gear 104 is transmitted to the fourth intermediate gear 106 via the third intermediate gear 105, and the fourth intermediate gear 106 transmits the power to the ribbon take-up shaft 78 provided on the same axis. Output. That is, power is indirectly input from the second intermediate gear 104 to the ribbon take-up shaft 78. Since the fourth intermediate gear 106 adjusts the rotational direction, the ribbon take-up shaft 78 is not limited to this configuration, and a configuration in which power is directly input from the second intermediate gear 104, that is, Two intermediate gears 104 may be provided coaxially.

  When the drive motor 53 rotates with the platen roller 71 facing the printing position 74, the feed roller 50 facing the pickup position 44 faces the nipping position 45 while rotating. When the feed roller 50 faces the clamping position 45, the first planetary gear 101 is connected to the first intermediate gear 102, the power of the drive motor 53 is transmitted to the platen roller 71, and the second and third intermediate gears 104, 105 are connected. The power is transmitted to the ribbon take-up shaft 78 via. On the other hand, when the platen roller faces the separation position 75, the second planetary gear 103 is separated from the second intermediate gear 104, so that the power to the ribbon take-up shaft 78 is cut off. For this reason, when the platen roller 71 moves away from the printing position 74, the winding of the ink ribbon R by the ribbon feeding means 23 stops. That is, the ribbon feed stopping means 25 in the claims corresponds to the second planetary gear 103. As a result, the drive motor 53 can be shared and the number of shared parts can be increased, so that the structure can be simplified, and the structure around the separation / contact means 24 and the ribbon feed stop means 25 can be simplified accordingly. it can.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the lock / unlock mechanism 27 includes a first engagement claw 110 formed to protrude downward from the lower end surface of the support member 86, and an engagement portion that engages with the first engagement claw 110. 115 and a contact piece 116 that contacts one of the rotating arms 52, and a second engagement claw 111 formed in an L-shaped cross section, and a tension spring 112 that pulls back the second engagement claw 111 toward the support member 86. And the release protrusion 65 provided on one side surface of the pair of rotating arms 52.

  The first engagement claw 110 moves in the vertical direction in accordance with the rotation operation of the support member 86. When the platen roller 71 is in the printing position, the first engagement claw 110 is located above and detached from the second engagement claw 111. Thus, when the platen roller 71 is at the separation position 75, the platen roller 71 is positioned below and engaged with the second engagement claw 111, that is, a locked state.

  The bent portion of the second engagement claw 111 is pivotally supported so that the lock position 120 that engages with the first engagement claw 110 and the engagement between the first engagement claw 110 are released. Move to and from the release position 121. The engaging portion 115 is configured to engage with the first engaging claw 110 and is pulled by the tension spring 112 so that the engaging portion 115 faces the lock position 120. The contact piece 116 includes a fixed piece 125 connected to the engaging portion 115 and a movable piece 126 provided on the distal end side of the fixed piece 125, and the movable piece 126 is released by the operation of the rotating arm 52. 65 is provided in contact. When the release protrusion 65 moves from the clamping position 45 to the pickup position 44, the movable piece 126 moves together with the fixed piece 125 to move the engaging portion 115 to the lock release position 121, while the release protrusion 65 When moving from the pickup position 44 to the clamping position 45, only the movable piece 126 is configured to move so as to allow the movement of the release protrusion 65 in order to maintain the state where the engaging portion 115 faces the lock position 120. .

  When the manual operation lever 85 is pushed down by the user, the first engagement claw 110 moves downward, and the second engagement claw 111 facing the lock position 120 is once pushed down and engaged therewith, thereby being locked. And Thereafter, when the rotating arm 52 moves from the pickup position 44 to the clamping position 45, the contact piece 116 allows the release protrusion 65 to move and maintains the locked state of the second engagement claw 111. When the turning arm 52 returns from the clamping position 45 to the pickup position 44, the release protrusion 65 contacts the contact piece 116 and pulls down the second engagement claw 111 to the lock release position 121. Then, the first engagement claw 110 is pulled up by the return spring 88 through the support member 86, and the platen roller 71 moves to the printing position 74.

  Accordingly, by operating the manual operation lever 85, the platen roller 71 is locked at the separation position by the lock / unlock mechanism 27, so that the user operates the manual operation lever 85 during the conveyance of the sticky note H1. There is no need to continue. On the other hand, when the conveyance by the sticky note conveyance means 21 is completed, the lock is released along with the completion, and the platen roller 71 moves to the printing position 74. Therefore, the user operates the manual operation lever 85 on the platen roller 71. There is no need to return it. For this reason, the manual operation lever 85 has a structure with good operability.

  The detection sensor 26 is provided below the support member 86 and is configured by a micro switch. Therefore, when the support member 86 is moved downward via the manual operation lever 85 so that the platen roller 71 faces the separation position 75, the lower end surface of the support member 86 comes into contact with the tip of the detection sensor 26, and the platen roller It is detected that the roller 71 has moved to the separation position 75. Further, when the detection sensor 26 detects that the platen roller 71 has moved to the separation position 75, the personal computer 3 does not drive the printing unit 22 but drives only the sticky note transport unit 21. For this reason, the sticky note H1 is transported without printing on the sticky note H1 peeled off by the sticky note transport means 21. Accordingly, due to a mechanical failure, the sticky note H1 is not fed in the state where the thermal head 70 and the platen roller 71 are in contact with each other. Note that the detection sensor 26 is not limited to a micro switch, and an optical sensor such as a photo interrupter may be used.

  Here, with reference to FIG. 6, a series of operations relating to the pre-feed of the sticky note H1 will be described. In the print standby state, the feed roller 50 is at the pickup position 44 and is in contact with the surface of the topmost sticky note H1 of the sticky note bundle H set in the sticky note holder 20 (see FIG. 6A). .

  When the user depresses the manual operation lever 85 and the personal computer 3 detects that the platen roller 71 is moved to the separation position 75 by the detection sensor 26, the personal computer 3 rotates the feed roller 50 to lift the sticky note H1. To start. That is, when the feed roller 50 is brought into rolling contact with the uppermost sticky note H1 on the free end side of the surface, the middle portion in the longitudinal direction is bent so as to be gradually curved upward. In conjunction with the depression of the manual operation lever 85, the power to the ribbon take-up shaft 78 is cut off, and the manual operation lever 85 is locked by the lock / unlock mechanism 27 (see FIG. 6B). .

  Immediately after the leading edge of the sticky note H1 that has been rolled up passes below the feed roller 50, the feed roller 50 moves upward while rotating and moves away from the sticky note bundle H. , The free end of the sticky note H1 rides on the feed roller 50 (see FIG. 6C).

  Next, the feed roller 50 on which the sticky note H1 is placed moves (revolves) to the clamping position 45 while rotating (spinning) (see FIG. 6D). When the feed roller 50 reaches the clamping position 45 and sandwiches the sticky note H1 between the feed roller 50 and the driven roller 51, the feed roller 50 peels off the rolled up sticky note H1 from the sticky note bundle H and peels off the sticky note paper. H1 is conveyed toward the paper discharge port 16 by the feed roller 50 and the platen roller 71 (see FIG. 6E).

  Then, when the glued portion of the sticky note H1 reaches the platen roller 71 (see FIG. 6F), the feed roller 50 moves from the clamping position 45 to the pickup position 44. Then, the rotation arm 52 releases the lock of the lock / unlock mechanism 27, so that the platen roller 71 faces the printing position 74 and sandwiches the glue portion of the sticky note H1 (see FIG. 6G). Thereafter, when the user removes the sticky note H1 discharged to the paper discharge port 16, it is possible to obtain the sticky note H1 that has been fed forward.

  According to the above configuration, the feeding of the ink ribbon R can be stopped by moving the platen roller 71 to the separation position 75. For this reason, when the sticky note H1 is transported by the sticky note transport means 21, the ink ribbon R is not sent and the clean sticky note H1 can be sent. Further, since the thermal head 70 and the platen roller 71 are separated from each other, the sticky note H1 and the ink ribbon R are not sandwiched, so that the ink ribbon R is fed by the feeding of the sticky note H1. It will never be done. As a result, the sticky note H1 can be fed idle without sending the ink ribbon R. In the present embodiment, the sticky note bundle H is used, but it is also possible to use a memo pad or the like having a fixed end face bonded thereto. In the present embodiment, the platen roller 71 is moved. However, the thermal head 70 may be moved. Further, when the ribbon feeding unit 23 is driven with different power, the power of the ribbon feeding unit 23 may be stopped based on the detection of the detection sensor 26.

  Next, a sticky note print system 200 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In order to avoid duplicate descriptions, only different parts will be described. In this sticky note printing system 200, instead of the manual operation lever 85 of the sticky note printer 2 of the first embodiment, a plate cam 201 that presses the upper end surface of the support member 86 downward, a motor 202 that rotates the plate cam, and The motor 202 is controlled by the personal computer 3.

  When the personal computer 3 drives the motor 202 to idle the sticky note H1, the plate cam 201 rotates, and the protruding portion presses the upper end surface of the support member 86 downward, so that the platen roller 71 is moved to the separated position. 75, the power to the ribbon feeding means 23 is shut off, and the driving of the motor 202 is stopped in this state. When the idle feeding of the sticky note H1 is completed, the motor 202 is driven again, the protruding portion of the plate cam 201 is moved upward, and the platen roller 71 is returned to the printing position 74 by the return spring 88. Even in this configuration, the sticky note H1 can be fed in an empty manner without sending the ink ribbon R.

  Next, a sticky note print system 300 according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In this embodiment, only different parts will be described. The sticky note print system 300 includes a solenoid 301 that presses the upper end surface of the support member 86 downward, instead of the manual operation lever 85 of the sticky note printer 2 of the first embodiment. 3 is controlled.

  When the personal computer 3 energizes the solenoid 301 to idle the sticky note H1, the plunger presses the upper end surface of the support member 86 downward, the platen roller 71 faces the separation position 75, and the ribbon feeding means 23 is pressed. Shut off the power. When idle feeding of the sticky note H1 is completed, the solenoid 301 is demagnetized and the platen roller 71 is returned to the printing position 74 by the return spring 88. Even in this configuration, the sticky note H1 can be fed in an empty manner without sending the ink ribbon R.

1 is a schematic diagram of a sticky note printing system according to the present embodiment. 1 is an external perspective view of a sticky note printer according to the present embodiment. It is an internal schematic diagram of the sticky note printer according to the present embodiment. It is a schematic diagram of a reduction gear train. It is a schematic diagram of a lock / unlock mechanism. FIG. 6 is a series of explanatory diagrams relating to a blank feed of a sticky note. It is an internal schematic diagram of the sticky note printer according to the second embodiment. It is an internal schematic diagram of the sticky note printer according to the third embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Sticky note print system 21 ... Sticky note transport means 22 ... Printing means 23 ... Ribbon feeding means 24 ... Separation / contact means 25 ... Ribbon feeding stop means 26 ... Detection sensor 27 ... Lock / unlock mechanism 53 ... Drive motor 54 ... Deceleration Gear train 65 ... Release protrusion 70 ... Thermal head 71 ... Platen roller 74 ... Printing position 75 ... Separation position 78 ... Ribbon take-up shaft 85 ... Manual operation lever 201 ... Plate cam 202 ... Motor 301 ... Solenoid H ... Sticky paper bundle H1 ... Sticky note R ... Ink ribbon

Claims (7)

A sheet conveying means for separating a sheet bundle formed by laminating a plurality of sheets adhered to each other so that one end is peeled from the uppermost sheet one by one, and conveying the sheet toward the discharge port;
A printing unit having a printing head and a platen roller, facing between the printing head and the platen roller, and performing printing on a sheet fed by the sheet conveying unit;
Ribbon feeding means that faces between the print head and the platen roller and feeds the ink ribbon along with the paper during printing of the paper;
A manual operation lever for separating and contacting the platen roller, and a separation link for separating and contacting the platen roller in conjunction with the operation of the manual operation lever, wherein the platen roller is attached to the print head. Separating / contacting means for moving the printing head relatively and manually between a printing position that presses against the printing head and a separation position that separates from the printing head;
Ribbon feed stopping means for stopping the feeding of the ink ribbon by the ribbon feeding means in conjunction with the relative movement of the print head and the platen roller from the printing position to the separated position by the separating and contacting means. ,
The state in which the platen roller is moved to the separation position is held in conjunction with the operation of the manual operation lever, and the platen roller is moved to the separation position in conjunction with the conveyance end operation by the paper conveyance means. A sheet bundle printing system comprising: a lock / unlock mechanism configured to release the holding state and move the platen roller to the printing position . A sheet conveying means for separating a sheet bundle formed by laminating a plurality of sheets adhered to each other so that one end is peeled from the uppermost sheet one by one, and conveying the sheet toward the discharge port;
A printing unit having a printing head and a platen roller, facing between the printing head and the platen roller, and performing printing on a sheet fed by the sheet conveying unit;
Ribbon feeding means that faces between the print head and the platen roller and feeds the ink ribbon along with the paper during printing of the paper;
Separation means for moving the platen roller relative to the print head manually and relatively between a printing position for pressing the platen roller against the print head and a separation position away from the print head;
Ribbon feed stopping means for stopping the feeding of the ink ribbon by the ribbon feeding means in conjunction with the relative movement of the print head and the platen roller from the printing position to the separated position by the separating and contacting means. , equipped with a,
The platen roller is constituted by a driving roller that is driven in synchronization with the driving of the paper conveying means,
And the paper conveying means, the platen roller and the ribbon feeding means share a power source and a power transmission gear train,
The power transmission gear train is
A main sun gear rotated by the drive source;
A first planetary gear meshing with the main sun gear;
A first intermediate gear with which the first planetary gear is separated;
A second planetary gear meshing with the first intermediate gear as a sun gear;
A second intermediate gear with which the second planetary gear is separated and connected,
The paper transport means has a transport drive roller for transporting the paper, and the transport drive roller receives power from the first planetary gear,
The platen roller receives power from the second planetary gear,
The ribbon feeding means has a ribbon take-up shaft that takes up the ink ribbon, and the ribbon take-up shaft receives power from the second intermediate gear,
The separation / contact means has a carrier that supports the second planetary gear, and the carrier separates and connects the second planetary gear to the second intermediate gear,
The ribbon feeding stop means is the second planetary gear, and the power to the second intermediate gear is cut off when the second planetary gear is separated from the second intermediate gear by the carrier. Paper bundle printing system. A sheet conveying means for separating a sheet bundle formed by laminating a plurality of sheets adhered to each other so that one end is peeled from the uppermost sheet one by one, and conveying the sheet toward the discharge port;
A printing unit having a printing head and a platen roller, facing between the printing head and the platen roller, and performing printing on a sheet fed by the sheet conveying unit;
Ribbon feeding means that faces between the print head and the platen roller and feeds the ink ribbon along with the paper during printing of the paper;
Separation means for moving relative to the print head between a print position for pressing the platen roller against the print head and a separation position away from the print head;
Ribbon feed stopping means for stopping the feeding of the ink ribbon by the ribbon feeding means in conjunction with the relative movement of the print head and the platen roller from the printing position to the separated position by the separating and contacting means. , equipped with a,
The platen roller is constituted by a driving roller that is driven in synchronization with the driving of the paper conveying means,
And the paper conveying means, the platen roller and the ribbon feeding means share a power source and a power transmission gear train,
The power transmission gear train is
A main sun gear rotated by the drive source;
A first planetary gear meshing with the main sun gear;
A first intermediate gear with which the first planetary gear is separated;
A second planetary gear meshing with the first intermediate gear as a sun gear;
A second intermediate gear with which the second planetary gear is separated and connected,
The paper transport means has a transport drive roller for transporting the paper, and the transport drive roller receives power from the first planetary gear,
The platen roller receives power from the second planetary gear,
The ribbon feeding means has a ribbon take-up shaft that takes up the ink ribbon, and the ribbon take-up shaft receives power from the second intermediate gear,
The separation / contact means has a carrier that supports the second planetary gear, and the carrier separates and connects the second planetary gear to the second intermediate gear,
The ribbon feeding stop means is the second planetary gear, and the power to the second intermediate gear is cut off when the second planetary gear is separated from the second intermediate gear by the carrier. Paper bundle printing system. The separation / contact means includes a solenoid for separating / contacting the platen roller and a separation / contact link for separating / contacting the platen roller in conjunction with driving of the solenoid. sheet bundle printing system according to 3. The separation / contact means includes an actuator for separating / contacting the platen roller, a plate cam rotating by driving of the actuator, and a separation / contact link for separating / contacting the platen roller by the contact state of the plate cam. sheet bundle printing system according to claim 3, characterized in that it has. Detection means for detecting that the platen roller has moved relative to the separation position with respect to the print head;
Control means for controlling the paper conveying means and the printing means,
Said control means, based on the detection result by the detection means, without performing printing on the paper, wherein the paper to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that sending toward the discharge outlet Paper bundle printing system. The sheet conveying means, the printing means, the ribbon feeding means, the separating / contacting means, the ribbon feeding stop means, and the detecting means are provided, and each sheet is peeled off one by one from the uppermost sheet and printed on the sheet. A paper bundle printer
7. The sheet bundle printing system according to claim 6 , further comprising a computer having the control means and connected to the sheet bundle printer for controlling the sheet bundle printer.

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